Monday, January 25, 2016

Path to the Tonys: 2015 - 2016 Potential Nominees

   
  There is an event that comes once a year--the Oscars of the theatre world. That event is the Tony Awards. To be nominated for a Tony award is a thing of great distinction, and to win one is even better. The Tonys will focus on new shows of the 2015-2016 year, as well as revivals (shows that have been on Broadway before but just came back this year). With the nominations for this event drawing nearer, I've decided to post a bit about the musicals that are considered eligible for nomination.
Allegiance
  

  Eligible for nomination for Best Musical, this is the story of a Japanese-American family during the turbulent years of the second world war. I just looked up this musical for this post, and I can already tell that this is a musical that I might grow to love dearly. It combines history and theatre, two things I'm fond of. Allegiance is a bittersweet story of family, love, and loss, and it stars the always amazing Lea Salonga.

The Color Purple


  The Color Purple is another historical musical, but this one is eligible for nomination for Best Revival of a Musical. It tells the story of a young girl going through hardships no one should have to face, from an abusive father to an abusive husband. This is a story about relationships and family. It isn't one of my favorites, but I only know what I've read about since I have yet to actually see any version of it. 

Amazing Grace


  A possible nominee for Best Musical, Amazing Grace is a musical based on the incredible story of John Newton, a slave trader who has a life-changing encounter with Christ. He changes his ways, fighting against slavery as well as penning one of the most beloved hymns of all time, "Amazing Grace." I love the story of John Newton, so I'm excited to see this one when it comes through my area on its tour. 

Dames at Sea


   Another revival musical eligible for nomination is this little musical. Dames at Sea is a very classic kind of story, bringing to mind films by Gene Kelly and other old Hollywood musicals. It has the classic cotton candy story of the small town girl becoming something bigger, love at first sight, and the diva that competes with the small town girl. Dames at Sea is one of those little musicals to satisfy your desire for a happy ending. Though I've never seen it, friends who have call it cute. 

On Your Feet!


  On Your Feet! is a possible nominee for Best Musical based on the lives of Emilio and Gloria Estefan. The musical covers Gloria's terrible injury and come-back from it as well as her journey as a singer. Since I'm more of a classic musical theatre person, what I've seen of this show isn't that appealing. Others have different tastes in music, however, and might enjoy it more.

Spring Awakening
  

   Best Revival of a Musical possible nominee Spring Awakening is a coming of age story. That's all I will say about it. It involves many things that I don't care for and is a pretty depressing story altogether. I personally find it to be at the bottom of my lists of musicals, but many like it. 

School of Rock


  You've possibly seen the 2004 Jack Black vehicle this possible best musical nominee is based on. It's about a struggling rock singer who pretends to be a substitute teacher when he needs money. He learns that there are several gifted children in his class, so he decides to train them to be a rock band. Shenanigans ensue.

 Fiddler on the Roof


  Fiddler on the Roof is one of my all-time favorite musicals, but I won't spend too much time gushing about it because my next post about musical theatre decades will include it. This show is a possible nominee for Best Revival of a musical. It is a touching story about a Jewish family in the early 20th century and the romantic pursuits of the three oldest daughters. 

Hamilton


  You've probably at least heard of this hip-hop musical that is a possible nomination for Best Musical since it's incredibly popular among theatre and non-theatre lovers alike. The musical covers the life and times of founding father Alexander Hamilton using clever rhymes and dances. I originally listened to it fully to be able to discuss it with friends who were fans (and know what this whole pop culture phenomenon was about), and the more I listen to it, the more it grows on me. It's extremely catchy. I continued singing "The Room Where it Happens," a number from the musical for days after hearing it. 

 Are you familiar with any of these musicals? Looking forward to this year's Tony Awards? 

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